Results tagged ‘ Huston Street ’

Padres extend Quentin, could do same for Street

So go ahead and scratch outfielder Carlos Quentin off your list of viable/available options that could be had before the July 31 trade deadline.

The Padres on Sunday gave Quentin a three-year extension worth $27 million that will keep him in his native San Diego through the 2015 and possibly through 2016 (mutual option).

There seems to be momentum internally that the Padres could do the same with closer Huston Street, the Padres lone All-Star representative, giving him a contract extension as well as the team looks toward 2013 and beyond.

It’s worth noting that majority owner John Moores and the new ownership group (O’Malley family, though nothing has been officially announced) signed off on the Quentin deal. Could they do the same for Street?

General manager Josh Byrnes continues to field calls about players, no more so than third baseman Chase Headley, who is about as coveted a player as you’ll find this month. If the Padres aren’t blown away from a haul of players, they’ll likely retain Headley, who is under team control through 2015.

Is any of this surprising, that the Padres haven’t sold off any significant pieces? Not at all, as Byrnes said earlier this month that the team didn’t need to trade anyone.

The Padres, who have made noise in the past at or near the trade deadline — see Jake Peavy, Heath Bell — might just stand pat this month.

– Corey Brock

July 19 Late Night Roundup

  • The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster is said to be attracting a lot of trade interest. The Dodgers are one team that has proposed a deal for the veteran right-handed pitcher, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The Cubs would like to add young pitching in return. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reported that the two clubs were “having somewhat constructive conversations” about a deal by Thursday but that the Tigers and Braves figure to be among the other teams vying for Dempster.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweeted that teams also are expressing interest in two other Cubs, infielder Jeff Baker and outfielder Reed Johnson, who could serve as right-handed bats off the bench.
  • Rosenthal and colleague Jon Morosi also reported that the Pirates, Red Sox and Tigers are among the clubs pursuing D-backs shortstop Stephen Drew. The Pirates are still after Arizona outfielder Justin Upton as well, according to Morosi.
  • The Tigers, Rangers and Pirates are a few of the teams that have asked the Rockies about second baseman Marco Scutaro, according to the Denver Post. With Colorado in last place in the NL West, the team also could deal relievers such as closer Rafael Betancourt, as well as catchers Ramon Hernandez and Wil Nieves.
  • Teams interested in outfielder Carlos Quentin and closer Huston Street of the Padres might end up disappointed. San Diego plans to sign both players to long-term deals before the trade deadline, reported Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
  • The Twins will look to acquire pitching in exchange for surging lefty Francisco Liriano, wrote Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. The Yankees, Mets, Angels, Braves, Blue Jays and Red Sox highlight the group looking into Liriano.

– Andrew Simon

Mets considering a K-Rod reunion?

One of the relievers on the Mets’ Trade Deadline wish list, according to a report Tuesday in the New York Post, is former closer Francisco Rodriguez.

From a purely baseball perspective, that makes plenty of sense. Because of Rodriguez’s 4.00 ERA and $8-million salary as Milwaukee’s setup man, the Brewers cannot rightfully ask for a significant haul of prospects in return. But Rodriguez does have a long track record of excellence in late-game situations and holds a 2.66 ERA in 25 outings since May 4, striking out nearly a batter per inning and walking one-third as many.

Rodriguez, for what it’s worth, also has experience pitching in New York. He was mellower last season after taking anger management classes following his 2010 arrest at Citi Field for assault, so that New York experience could make him more valuable than other late-inning options.

Other relievers available include Brett Myers of the Astros, Huston Street of the Padres and Grant Balfour of the A’s.

–Anthony DiComo

Rox, Cuddyer reach three-year, $31.5 million agreement

The Rockies are putting the final touches on a three-year signing of outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million contract, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday morning.

The right-handed hitting Cuddyer, 32, hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Twins last season. He has hit at least 20 homers three times in his career, including a career-high 32 in 2009. In 1,139 career games, all with the Twins, Cuddyer is a .272 hitter with 141 homers and 580 RBIs.

Cuddyer figures to fit in the lineup in left field, but also could move to first base on days Todd Helton is not in the lineup. The Rockies could use him in the No. 5 spot behind shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, or at No. 6 if the Rockies want the left-handed hitting Todd Helton to continue to bat behind Tulowitzki.

The Rockies also were looking to re-make the flavor of the clubhouse, after finishing 73-89 last season and not showing the toughness that had become a trademark of the club in recent seasons. The team has added a pair of veterans via free agency – catcher Ramon Hernandez for two years and $6.4 million, and Cuddyer.

The Rockies still aren’t likely to be done with building the 2012 roster. Left-handed hitting left fielder Seth Smith is the team’s main trading chip, who figures to be supplanted by Cuddyer, is the team’s main chip in attempts to deal to fill other holes. A key one is the need for a starting pitcher capable of 200 innings, with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa having to come back from Tommy John elbow surgery and out until sometime around June .

The Rockies rid themselves of $7 million in salary by dealing relief pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and further trimming the payroll of a projected $2.6 million when they sent arbitration-eligible third baseman Ian Stewart to the Cubs as part of a four-player trade, the Rockies achieved enough payroll relief to make an offer to an outfielder.

But signing Cuddyer means the Rockies will not be able to continue to pursue Hiroki Kuroda, a right-hander reportedly looking for a one-year deal in the $13 million range.

The Rockies began pursuing Cuddyer early in the free-agency period, but needed the market to fall into place. That occurred on Tuesday, when news surfaced that outfielder Josh Willingham moved toward accepting an offer from the Twins. The original thought Twins were not going to sign both players, but the Twins remained in the running.

According to reports, the Phillies and Mariners were still trying to sign Cuddyer as of Thursday.

– Thomas Harding

Cuddyer, Rox continue to talk

The Twitter universe says Michael Cuddyer will reach an agreement with the Rockies by the end of today. From what I’ve been told, the sides continue to negotiate but the end of today may not be feasible. Terms aren’t known, but it could be lucrative: Cuddyer was reported to have a three-year deal for around $25 million from the Twins on the table. I’m reading the Mariners and Reds also have approached Cuddyer.

If or when it does happen, don’t be surprised if left-handed hitting Seth Smith is dealt quickly. Such a deal would clear a crowded outfield, and it would be the best way for the Rockies to fill other holes, especially pitching. Whatever the Rockies cleared in trading pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and infielder Ian Stewart to the Cubs will be spent on Cuddyer, or another outfielder if the Rockies go in that direction (such as Carlos Beltran).

Smith ranks as the best hope for acquiring a pitcher capable of 200 innings to help the rotation along until Jorge De La Rosa completes his comeback from Tommy John left elbow surgery, which should be sometime around June. Lower-cost options such as Kevin Millwood, Jeff Francis or recently non-tendered Joe Saunders will come into play, also.

As for free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, the chances of such a signing are doubtful considering what the Rockies will spend on the outfielder.

– Thomas Harding

Padres land Street, might not be done

The Padres nearly-singular focus during these Winter Meetings have been finding a closer to replace Heath Bell, who signed a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Marlins on Monday.

General manager Josh Byrnes believes he filled that role Wednesday after trading for former Rockies closer Huston Street, sending a Minor League player to be named later to Colorado in exchange for the 28-year-old Street and cash.

But just because the Padres have scratched the top item off their winter to-do list doesn’t mean they’re finished with business here in Dallas.

Byrnes indicated that something could be in the works later Wednesday or possibly Thursday, even as he heads back to San Diego and later Phoenix.

The Padres still needed something that resembles an eighth-inning specialist, though Byrnes said talks in that regards had made “adequate progress but not substantial [progress].”

Could the Padres be looking for a position player? An option for the bench? Stayed tuned, business continues after these Winter Meetings and the Padres still have work to do on the roster before Spring Training.

– Corey Brock

Padres set to acquire Street from Rockies

On Monday, the Padres official lost closer Heath Bell, as the three-time All-Star completed his deal with the Marlins.

It didn’t take the Padres long to find a replacement.

On Wednesday morning, the Padres were putting the finishing touches on a deal with the Rockies for closer Huston Street.

The deal is believed to be for a player to be named with the Rockies picking up a good chunk of the $7.5 million he’s owed for 2012.

Oddly enough, Bell made $7.5 million last season, though he was due for a raise after the Padres offered him arbitration. Instead, he received a three-year deal (with a fourth year vesting) for $27 million.

More later at Padres.com.

– Corey Brock

Rox and Mets an unlikely trade fit

The Rockies like Mets right-handed pitcher Mike Pelfrey, but it doesn’t look as if the parts for a trade fit.

One issue is the Mets have little starting pitching depth and are loath to part with Pelfrey, who went 7-14 with a 4.74 ERA during a difficult Mets 2011 season but was 15-9, 3.66 the previous year.

Also, while the Mets are seeking bullpen help, they’re not going to take the Rockies’ Huston Street. The Mets’ bench coach is Bob Geren, who was Street’s manager with the Athletics before the Rockies acquired him. Street and Geren feuded back then, and the Mets would prefer to stay away from that situation.

Dealing Street and outfielder Seth Smith appears to be the Rockies’ best route to improving the club quickly. Also they’ll see how much interest there is in third baseman Ian Stewart, with the Cubs mentioned prominently, and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs.

Baseball’s Winter Meetings opened Monday in Dallas.

– Thomas Harding

Keep an eye on Rockies pitching, Barmes discussions could occur today

As MLB.com reported last week and as the Denver Post reported last night, the Rockies’ wide-ranging search for an innings-eating starting pitcher, or two, includes standout free-agent right-hander Roy Oswalt (4-0, 2.25 ERA in five career starts at Coors Field).

The Post reported that the Rockies won’t trade for the Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez, who want quite a bit in return. But just about any young, accomplished starter is on the radar — the Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, and the Rays’ Jeff Neimann and Wade Davis. All have been Rockies targets before. The Rockies are interested in their one-time No. 1 pitcher Jeff Francis and Kevin Millwood, who finished last season in purple pinstripes, as well as, according to the Post, Paul Maholm.

The Rockies are dangling left fielder Seth Smith in trade talks for either a pitcher or a second baseman, or both. That helps explain the pursuit of Grady Sizemore, who is recovering from right knee surgery but, according to his agent, will be ready to start Spring Training and to start the season.

If they don’t make a trade at the keystone position, they could look to the past and pursue Clint Barmes, who played for the Astros last season but had spent all is previous seasons with the Rockies. Barry Meister, Barmes’ agent, will arrive at the MLB General Managers meetings in Milwaukee today. Although there have been internal discussions about Barmes — who is attractive to the Rockies because he can move to shortstop if Troy Tulowitzki needs a break or is banged up — there had not been negotiations as of yesterday. Barmes is receiving interest at a shortstop and a second baseman, and is open to playing each spot.

Potential trade targets are the Braves’ Martin Prado and the Padres’ Orlando Hudson, with the Rockies already having had discussions with the Braves.

In the coming weeks, watch for the Rockies to seriously explore dealing right-handed reliever Huston Street, who is guaranteed $8 million next year. Rafael Betancourt ended up supplanting Street as closer late in the regular season.

– Thomas Harding

Rockies could be looking to deal, beyond Ubaldo Jimenez

The Rockies have established a high price for right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, one that may scare off most teams. But there could be other deals on the horizon.

The Rockies are willing to deal struggling right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who is in the last stages of a $9.25 million salary for this season and has an $11 million option for 2012. But that’s been expected, especially with his struggles and those of the club.

But as the playoffs become a more remote possibility, information is surfacing that the Rockies could be willing to deal any of three key right-handed relievers — closer Huston Street (being paid $7.3 million this year, due for a $7.5 million salary next year and guaranteed a $500,000 buyout on a $9 million player option for 2013), Rafael Betancourt (being paid $4 million this year, $4 million next year and having a $250,000 buyout on a $4.25 million mutual option for 2013) and Matt Belisle (earning $2.35 million this year and $3.775 million next year). If they deal Street, the Rockies can go to righty Matt Lindstrom as closer.

–Thomas Harding

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